Nigeria’s high-speed rail revolution: Work begins on $16 bln Abuja-Lagos line in February – Idris

The highly anticipated Lagos-Abuja Super Highway/High-Speed Train Project is scheduled to be launched by the Federal Government in February 2025.

This ambitious initiative aims to significantly bolster Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, aligning with the government’s priority to enhance connectivity and mobility across the country.

According to Mr. Mutiu Yinka Idris, the Director of Operations at AEC-Geofocus, the consortium overseeing the project, the estimated cost of the Lagos-Abuja Super Highway/High-Speed Train Project is approximately $16 billion.

Idris made the revelations during a media appearance in Ibadan, giving an overview of the magnitude and scope of this groundbreaking infrastructure project.

He said the ambitious project, spanning 500 kilometers, will link Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The project, he explained, will adopt a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Maintain (DBFOM) model.

“The $16 billion endeavor will be spearheaded by AEC-Geofocus, a collaborative effort of engineers, planners, and investors, with plans firmly in place to kick off by February of the current year, 2024”.

The high-speed train project will feature a dual-gauge rail line capable of reaching speeds of up to 250 km/hr, with primary stations in Lagos and Abuja, along with 11 intermediate stops.

According to this development, the travel time between Lagos and Abuja will be shorter by less than 3 hours by road and by less than 5 hours by rail.

“The highway will consist of 8 lanes, 2 service lanes, and 13 tolling points. Encompassed within the project scope are 10 smart cities, 1 million housing units, and an Independent Power Plant”.

Idris sees the project as a pioneering initiative that supports President Buhari’s efforts to upgrade Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure.

Idris claims that the project, through strategic initiatives under President Tinubu’s leadership, will significantly increase the country’s economic prosperity.

Source: Per Second News